Stanford Law School Empirical Research Fellowship

Description

Assist faculty members at Stanford Law School conducting timely and policy-relevant research in empirical social science, including economists John J. Donohue and Alison Morantz. Designed for graduating seniors or recent college or master’s program graduates, the fellowship provides a unique opportunity for those considering graduate school, law school, and/or business school in the future.

Prior Research Fellows have matriculated to Ph.D. programs at Harvard, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Princeton, Columbia, and NYU and law school at Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia. They have been drawn from a variety of undergraduate disciplines, including economics, political science, applied math, public policy, statistics, and computer science.

Successful applicants will be matched with a specific professor based on background and interests. As full-time Stanford University employees, fellows will receive a competitive salary and benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, access to campus athletic and academic facilities, paid vacation time, professional development funds, and the capacity to audit Stanford courses and attend on-campus lectures and seminars free of charge.

Commitment

Full-time, typically starting during the summer months. Some applicants available to start earlier will also be considered. Fellowships last for one year, with an option to renew for a second year by mutual agreement of the professor and the fellow.

Responsibilities

Job responsibilities vary by position, but involve all aspects of the research process including:

  • Conceptualization of suitable empirical methodologies and models
  • Collecting, managing, and structuring quantitative datasets
  • Statistical analyses of complex datasets and interpretation of results
  • Communication with government officials, industry stakeholders, and research collaborators
  • Report writing and manuscript preparation

Note: The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

  • Experience in a quantitative discipline, such as economics, political science, computer science, statistics, or applied math
  • Training in causal inference and/or machine learning methods
  • Bachelor’s degree, preferably in the social sciences or another relevant field
  • Outstanding academic credentials and intellectual creativity
  • Eagerness to take initiative and solve intricate problems
  • Excellent time-management skills and ability to work effectively with minimal supervision
  • Exceptional research and analytical writing skills
  • Programming experience in R, Python, Stata, SAS, and/or other languages is strongly preferred
  • Prior research experience and coursework in the empirical social sciences is preferred, but not required

Salary and Benefits

The expected pay for this position is $64,480 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Stanford also provides excellent retirement plans, time-off, and family care resources, which you can read more about here: https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards.

How to Apply

Thank you for your interest in the Stanford Law School Empirical Research Fellowship. All positions for the incoming 2024-2025 cohort have been filled, so we are no longer accepting applications. Applications for the 2025-2026 cohort should open around August/September 2024. We encourage prospective applicants to review this webpage for updated information.

Stanford Law School seeks to hire the best talent and to promote a safe and secure environment for all members of the university community and its property. To that end, new staff hires must successfully pass a background check prior to starting work at Stanford University.

Questions

Please see our FAQ page. If your question is not addressed there, please email us at fellows@law.stanford.edu. Do not contact the professors or their support staff with any questions about hiring.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability that requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job. Additionally, Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applications will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.